2000: Eastern Iowa prepares for switch to 563 area code

Nov. 29, 2000: The Iowa Utilities Board created a “relief plan” for the 319 area code, because the code was running out of available phone numbers. This meant that half of the phone customers in eastern Iowa, including the Quad Cities, would adopt the 563 area code during the next year. Many people, including business and political leaders in the area, were disappointed by the news, arguing it would be inconvenient. The Quad City Development Group had lobbied for a 319 split that would have kept the Quad Cities, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids with the same area code.